How to Choose an Outdoor Storage Building

The size of garage or shed you need depends on what tools and toys you plan to store

By Jason Amundsen

Published: June 1, 2007

Oh no; a major thunderstorm is rolling in! Quick, get the lawn furniture and the ATVs inside!

Whether you’re protecting your favorite things from the elements or closing up your cabin after a long weekend of work or play, you need a place to put your stuff. And you know the time-tested adage: You can never really
have enough storage space.

True words, but there is hope. Today, you have myriad options, and there is an outdoor storage building out there that’s just right for stowing away all the toys, tools and whatnot you’ve somehow accumulated over the years.

How do you choose? The first step is to take stock of how much you have to store, then match it to the correctly sized building. Here are four scenarios, based on varying amounts of stuff to be stored – ranging from a family with bicycles and some lawn furniture to a family with RVs, boats and more.

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SMALL: 6x6-foot cedar shed

Stores: Approximately five bicycles, or a wheelbarrow and a complete set of outdoor furniture.